Weighing scale



May 9, 1944- M. A. -wr-:cKERLY 2,348,372

WEIGHING SCALE Filed Jan. 21, 1942 4 sheets-sheet `1 ATTORNEYS May 9, 1944. M. A. wEcKERLY WEIGHING SCALE Filed Jan. 21, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS May 9, 1944. M. A. wEcKr-:RLY

WEIGHING SCALE Filed Jan. 21, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 LNI l@ ljm ATTORNEYS ,May 9, 1944 M. A. wEcKERLY 2,348,372

WEIGHING SCALE Filed Jan. 21, 1942 4 Sheets-Shea?l 4 fila/ ,4. Maker/y INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented May 9, 1944 WEIGHING SCALE Mark A. Wecker-ly, Toledo, Ohio, assigner to Toledo Scale Company, Toledo, Ohio, a corpora.-

tion o! New Jersey Application January 21, 1942, Serial No. 427,627

'I Claims.

This invention relates generally to weighing scales, and more particularly to weighing scales which are adapted to automatically determine and deliver loads of predetermined weight. Scales of this kind usually cooperate with and control the operation of means for feeding the material into a hopper which forms a part of the load supporting means of the scale. They are also usual- 1y provided with means whereby the weighing mechanism can be back-weighted the amount of the desired load andhave means for initiating the operation of the feeding means, as well as for stopping the feed when the desired amount has been deposited into the hopper and for discharging the material.

Certain materials however do not readily discharge from the hopper, some have a tendency to bridge between the hopper walls and, therefore, a portion remains in the hopper, and of other materials that are sticky some of the material sticks to the walls of the hopperwhen the load is being discharged.

When scales are back-weighted the amount of the predetermined weight by means of a poise and beam or -by a standard Weight placed on a counterpoise platter, the weighing mechanism is overbalanced" until the weight of the load in the load receiver nearly equals that of the backweight. When the condition of the scale approaches equilibrium, the indicator becomes active to indicate the condition of balance. When a. relatively small portion of the load has been discharged from the load receiver, the backweight again overbalances the weighing mechanisrn, the indicator again becomes inactive and o if a small portion of the load remains in the hopper the operator of the device is not aware of it. The present invention therefore has for its principal object the provision of improved means for automatically and accurately determining loads of predetermined weight.

Another object is the provision of improved means whereby the indicator of a back-weighted scale is in a state of activity for a portion of the weighing operation to indicate the presence of material in the weighing hopper.

Another object is the provision of improved means for controlling material feeding means and preventing their operation until all of the material of the pr'evious weighing operation has been discharged from the scale hopper.

Another object is the provision of an improved scale lever system.

A still further object is the provision of an improved electrical interlocking control circuit.

These, and other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description in which reference is had to the accompanying drawings, illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention and in which similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

In the drawings:

Fig. I is a front elevational view of a weighing scale embodying the invention and showing the material feeding and material receiving means.

Fig. II is an enlarged sectional front elevational view of the base and of a fragment of the indicator housing of the scale.

Fig. III is a sectional plan view of the base of the scale, the section being along the line III- III of Fig. II, the base cover being removed.

Fig. IV is a sectional end elevation of the base, sectioned substantially along the line IV-IV of Fig. II.

Fig. V is a diagram of an electrical circuit embodying a portion of theA invention; and

Fig. VI is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, sectioned substantially along the line VI- VI of Fig. I, and showing in detail the relation of the light source, the indicator and the photoelectric tube.

Referring to the drawings 'in detail:

Extending upwardly from a base Il, which preferably is a rigid iron casting, are a pair of bifurcated fulcrum stands I2. Pintles I3, extending between the arms formed by the furcation, support, in vertical alignment, V grooved bearing blocks I4 and l5. Resting in the V grooves of the bearing blocks I4 are fulcrum pivots I6 of a load supporting lever I'I. In spaced relation to these fulcrum pivots, and positioned adjacent one end of this lever, is a pair of load pivots i8 and mounted upon these pivots, by means of suitable V bearing blocks I9, is a load support spider 20. Surmounting posts 2|, which are studded in the upper end of this spider, is a load supporting frame 22 to which, in the illustrated embodiment, is mounted a material receiving hopper 23, preferably constructed from sheets of light metal alloy. To balance the dead A weight of the spider 20, the frame 22 and the hopper 23, the opposite end of the lever I1 has two horizontal rods 24 studded into a connecting flange and a counterweight 25 adjustably mounted thereon. A check link I1' is provided to guide and maintain the condition of level of the frame 22 in the usual manner.

Supported upon the bearing blocks l5 in the bifurcated fulcrum stands l2 are fulcrun pivots 2 assasvs 2t of a counterpoise supporting lever 21. Pivots 2|, extending laterally from one of the free ends of the lever 21, support bearing blocks ll of a counterpoise support spider Il. Two posts I2, studded into the upper end of the spider Il and extending through suitable apertures in a base cover I3. have secured to their upper ends a counterpoise platter ll. The opposite free end of the lever 21 is provided with an integral loading box" 2l adapted to be filled with lead to counterbalance the dead weight of the parts resting upon pivots 2l in its opposite end. To maintain the condition of level of the counterpoise platter Il. a check link 21' is provided whose ends pivotally engage the counterpoisev spider 3| and an adjustable stud 21a on a pedestal-like member l! which is erected upon the -baselL For the purpose of disengageably connecting the load supporting lever i1 from the counterpoise supporting lever 21, a link 35 is provided.

'rms linx is suspended from e pm u erfenoim;A

between two short horizontally projecting arms of a bracket I1 bolted as at 3l to the loading box lower bight of the link I5. when the lever 21 is cooperating with the lever I1 to counterbalance the weight of a load, engages a pin 89 extending between the arms of a loop formed in a connecting rib Il of the load spider 20.

The pull resulting from a load as it accumulates in the hopper 2! is transmitted as usual to a. load counterbalancing pendulum 43. (Figs. I, II) supported, by means of a pivot I4, upon bearings 45 suitably mounted within an indicator housing 46 which surmounts the pedestal-like member ll arising from the base II. The indicator housing Il comprises a frame 41 and cover members It secured to the frame. To accomplish the tron of this pull, two short spaced arms Il, projecting horizontally from a connecting .rib of the lever I 1, carry a pivot 52 which engages the lower end of a stirrup 53 whose upper end is suspended from a pivot 54 in a transmission lever 55. This lever, which is of the second order. is rockably mounted, by means of a fulcrum pivot It, upon bearings 51 seated in the upper ends of fulcrum stands 58 projecting upwardly from the base Ii. A power pivot 59, in

the opposite end of the lever 55. engages a stirrup Il on the lower end of a draft rod 8|, the upper end of this draft rod being "secured to a thin flexible metallic ribbon 62 which overlies and is fastened to the upper end of the arcuate face of a power sector I3 forming a component part of the pendulum 4I. 'I'his pendulum, in addition, comprises a body portion 64, a stem 65 studded into this body portion and a pendulum weight 86 which is threaded upon the stem 8l in the usual manner. 4

For the purpose of indicating the condition of balance, an indicator I1 is fastened to an extending nger 6l of the body portion 6l. This indicator is provided with the usual index line Il for cooperation with a short series of weight indicia 10' having a zero indicium 1li marked on a chart 1| fastened to the upper end of the frame 41 within the covers 4l. 'I'his chart is visible through a window 12 in the housing 46. In addition to the series 1I' of weight indicia which represents substantially one-half of the load counterbalancing capacity of the pendulum Il, another indicium 1l2 is marked on the chart 1l.

The indicium represents the total automatic load counierbalancingcapacity of the pendulum and is therefore spaced fromthe last indicium of the series 1l.

The upper extremity 0! the indicator I1 is iurther' provided with a iisg-like projecting portion 13. Extensions of the leading and trailing edges of this portion 1l' and 1I respectively intersectA each other on the pivotal axis of the pendulum u. 'Ibe flag-like projecting portion 13 is adapted to intercept light emanating from a source 1l to prevent it from passing through a slot-like opening 1I and impinging on the sensitive element of-a photoelectric tube 18.

The light source 14 is supported by an arm 11 fastened to a plate 1I mounted in an opening 19 in the rear of the indicator housing I0, The photoelectric tube Il is enclosed in a light tight housing 80 having a forwardly projecting tubular channel 0|, the forward end thereof being provided with a mask l2 in which the slot-like opening 1! is located. The tubular channel also forms a means for securing the housing l0 to the plate 1l. If desired, the plate 1I may be made adjustable with respect to the indicator housing Il so that the slot-like opening 1I can be accurately positioned relative to an indicium or mark on the chart I.

To limit the rocking movement of the counterpoise supporting lever 21 in one direction, a screw Il is adjustably threaded through the base cover I3 so that its lower `encl forms a stop for the lever 21 by engaging a .surface-on the upper portion of the bracket 31 which is'boltedto this lever. A nut 84 serves to lock the stopscrew 8l in adjusted position. By these means, the angle of upward oscillation of the adjacent end of the lever 21 can be very accurately determined. To damp the oscillations of the scale. a dashpot is provided whose plunger Il, movable within an oilfilled dashpot body IB, is pivotally connected as at 81 to an extending arm Bl of the load spider 2l.

Cooperating with the weighing scale just described is a vibratory feeding device 89 comprising a reciprocating motor t0, a material feeding chute 9| actuated by the motor, a materialsupply hopper 92 and a funnel-like member I3 which is adapted to guide material fed by the vibratory feeding device into the weighing hopper 2l which, by means of the supporting frame 22 and the spider 20, is mounted upon the load lever I1. The hopper 23 has a sloping rear wall and vertical front and side walls. The lower portion of the front wall, comprises a gate 04 which is hinged4 to the upper portion and for opening this gate a solenoid coil 95, with its armature 96, is mounted in a housing 91 that is fastened to the upper portion of the front wall. The armature U6. by means of a link Il, is pivotally connected to one arm of a crank Il which is supported on a shaft |00 extending betweenV two spaced brackets IM fixed to the front wall of the hopper below the housing 81. The other arm oi' the crank 8l engages one of the links of an over-center toggle |02, the other link being pivotally connected to a bracket |03 cnthe gate Il. The gate Il is opened upon energization of the solenoid coil but is so calculated and designed that the force of gravity closes it when the coll 81 is de-energized. The lower portion of the hopper, with its gate, enters a funnel-like member IM. 'Ihis funnel-like member may be one of an interchangeable series which is graduated in sise to enter containers oi' various sizes.

For a reason which will later become clear. a

normally open switch |05 is mounted on the bottom of the housing 81 (Figs, I and V) in such a position that the armature 38 oi' the solenoid t5 when this is de-energized rests thereon and closes its contacts. To convey current to the coil 35 and to the switch |05 without introducing friction, since the hopper is mounted upon a movable member, an insulating member (Figures I, II and IV) is fastened to the base cover 33. This insulating member is provided with a series of wells |01 that are illled with mercury, each being adapted to receive a thinneedle-like plunger |08. 'Ihe mercury in these wells is metallicaliy connected to a series of binding posts |09 to which leads of the electrical circuit may be connected. The needle-like plungers |08, which are made as slender as is consistent with strength so that the buoyant effect of the mercury into which they dip does not ailect the operation of the scale an appreciable extent, are secured to an insulating plate ||0 fastened to upstanding iingers of the frame 22. 'I'hese plungers |03 are electrically connected to the coil 35 and to the switch in the usual manner. This assures an antifvriction bridge Between relatively movable members of the scale mechanism.

Forming a part of the electrical connection is a normally open vzero switch ||2 of the so-called micro type which is fastened, in inverted position. by means of a 'sheet metal bracket |I3 to the base cover 33. A small elastic metallic arm ||4 is riveted to the bracket ||3 so that it overlies the contact actuating pin H2 of the micro rswitch ||2. A ilnger ||5 depending from the hopper support frame 22 and having adjustment means, urges the metallic arm to close the contact |34 of the switch ||2 when the hopper 23 is empty and [the load supporting means are in their zero position. A small amount of material 1 adhering to the hopper walls will prevent the load supporting means from-returning to the zero position and consequently the contact remains open.

In conditioning the'device for operation the operator ilrst adjusts thescrew 83 so that the upward stroke of the -lever 21 is arrested in a position that insures a clearance between the bottom of the link 35 and lthe pin 39 in the spider 20, when there is no lo'ad in the hopper. 'I'his clearance must be sumcient to permit the load lever I1 to rock through an angle of sufcient amplitude to allow the pendulum 43 to counterbalance loads independently of fthe counterpoise mechanism. The weights of such loads are automatically indicated by the cooperation of the index 63 on the indicator 61 and the series of indicia on the chart 1|. When the link 35 is disengaged from the pin, the lever I1 is the sole load supporting lever of the scale and l the weight of any load placed in the hopper is counterbalanced only by the pendulum 43 and this weight is indicated by the index 69 o n the series of indicia 10'.

For example it is desired to pack in containers loads each weighing three pounds, and it is assumed that the series 1l' of indicia is adapted to indicate the weight of 8` ounces of load in the hopper and the total load counterbalancing capacity of the pendulum 43 as represented by the indicium 102 is one pound; the operator then places suilcent couniterpoise weights on the platter 34 until the sum of their weights, plus the automatic counterbalancing capacity of the pendulum equals three pounds. In this example counterpoise weights weighing 2 pounds must be placed on the platter 34. The first increment of eight ounces when placed in the hopper is counterbalanced by the pendulum, the lever |1 rocks downwardly until the pin 39 in the spider 20 engages the bottom oi the link 35. Additional load will now be suspended from the pin 38 in the bracket 31 of the counterpoise lever 21 and the two levers I1 and 21 cooperate in supporting the load similar to a single even-armed lever. Since they are still overbalanced by the Weights on the counterpoise platter 3 there is no further movement of the indicator until the load nearly equals the amount that` the scale is backweighted. The indicator then moves rapidly in a clockwise direction from its position of rest at the eight ounce indicium on the chart. When the gate 34 of the vhopper is opened after the desired amount of maiterial has been determined and a portion of the load has been discharged, the back-weight will immediately carry the lever 21 towards its initial position against its stop formed by the screw 33 and when the load remaining in the hopper amounts to less than the eight ounces of automatic weighing capacity the lever I1 again becomes disengaged from the lever 21 and the amount of such load is then again automatically indicated on the chart.

y When all theload has been discharged lthe indicator registers with the zero indicium 10 but any load sticking to the walls of the hopper or remaining therein for any reason whatsoever will be automatically indicated and the operator is clearly notied that not all of the load has been discharged.

In the present invention the scale is adapted to cooperate with and control the operation of material feeding means. For this purpose, the scale, the material feeding means and the hopper gate are electrically connected. After conditioning the device to determine loads of the desired weight by placing the weights on the counterpoise platter 34 which constitute the backweight, the operator, referring to Figure V, closes a line switch ||8. This permits current to ilow through leads I9, |20 and through leads |2| and |22 to illuminate the light source 14. At the same time current flows through leads H3, |2| and |23, photo tube amplifier |24, leads |25, |22 and |20 to the other side of the line. Light from (the source '|4` now passes through the slot 15 in the mask 82 covering the channel/8| of the light tight housing and impinges on the sensitive element of the photo tube 16 causing the coil of sensitive relay |26 to be energized, drawing yin its armature and closing contact |21. When Ithe start switch |28 is closed, current ilows through the lead |I9, through this switch |28, leads |32 and |23, the coil of relay |30, leads |25, |22 and |20 to the other side of the line. This energizes relay |30`and closes a normally open contact |3| of this relay and current ynow ilows through the leads H3, |2|, |23, through the contact |3|` leads |32 and |29, coil of relay |30 and through leads |25, |22 and |20 to the other side of the line. This constitutes a hold in circuit, maintaining the energzation of relay |30 when pressure is removed from the start switch |28. Current now ilows through leads |2|, |23, contact |3I, leads |32, |33, |34, zero switch H2', lead |35, coil of relay |35, leads |31, |38, and then through leads |39 and |20 to the other side of the line. This energizes the coil of latch relay |66 drawing in its armature and holding it in this position by means oi' a mechanical latch |46. Current now flows through leads III,

|2| and |26, through normally open contact |6|, leads |62 and |66, through contact of switch |66, lead |4I, contact |42, leads |46, |44, through normally closed contact |46 ot relay |46, lead |41, coil of relay |46 and then through leads |46, |26 to the other side of the line and also from lead |46, through lead |60, normally closed contact |6| of relay |62. lead |66, through coil of relay |64 and through leads |56, |66 and |26 to the other side of the line. 'I'his energizes relays |46 and |54 closing their normally open contacts |66 and |61 respectively.

Closing contacts |66 and |61 of relays |46 and |64 causes the reciprocating motor 66 of the vibratory feeding device 66 |to be .energized by current flowing through lead 6, contact |61 of relay |64, leads |56 and |66. contact |56 of relay |46, leads |60 and |6| to the coil oi' this reciprocating motor 60 and then through leads |66 and |26 to the other side of the line. Material is now being fed intto the hopper 26 at a relatively high speed until the weight of this material displaces the pendulum to such an extent that the leading edge 16' oi' the dag-like projection 16 at the upper extremity of ithe indicator 61 covers the slot-like opening -15 in the channel 6| of the photo tube housing 60, thus preventing light from the source 14 to strike the sensitive element ot this photo tube. 'I'he resistance of the shaded photo tube 16 de-energizes the coil of the sensitive relay |26 which is a part of the photo-electric amplifying system |24. The de-energization of the coil of the sensitive relay |26 permits the normally closed conf tact |62 to close and current now ilows through the leads ||6, |2|, |26, contact |6| ot relay |60, leads |62 and |66, the contact of gate switch |65, lead |4|, contact |42 of latch relay |66, leads |46 and |50, through contact |62 and through lead |66, the coil oi' relay |46 and then leads |64 and |20 to the dther side of the line. This energiaes relay |46 and when energized its armature closes contact |65 sealing in the relay |46. This also de-energizes relay |46 by opening the contact |45. -The current feeding the reciprocating motor 60 of the vibratory feeding means 66 must now flow through the lead ||6, contact |51 of relay |54, leads |56 and |56,

resistance |66, lead |6| to coil 60 of the reciprocating motor 66 and then through leads |66 and to the other side of the line. 'I'he resistance causes the reciprocatinglmotor 86 to operate at a reduced speed. This results in that the remainder of the material is ted at a dribble.

when the index es registers with the indlcium 163 on th chart 1|, the slot-like opening 15 is exposedd light again strikes the sensitive element of the photo tube 16. The increase in the current tlowing through the tube causes the sensitive relay |26 to again become energized closing contact |21 and current now ilows through leads III, |2| and |26, contact ISI, leads |32 and |33.

contact of gate switch |05, lead |4|, contact |42 of latch relay |66, leads |46 and |60, contact |21 of sensitive relay |26, lead |61. contact |66 of relay I46, lead |66, through coll of relay |52 and then through leads |10 and |20 to the opposite side of the line. Energization of the relay |52 opens contact llrdeenergizing relay |54 opening the circuit which energizes the reciprocating ascaara Thlsmlltheowotthemateriallnto thescalehopper.

ottheindicator" isinwlththe zero indicium 16. During its return movement.

the nag-mrs projection n on the indicator n provided to prevent the initiation of a new cycle.`

unlessthehoppergate 64isclosedandallmaterial has been discharged from the hopper. These means include the sate switch |65 whose contact is normally open but held closed by the armature 66 or thesate operating solaioid 65 when this collisdandthesateisclosedinthe manner hereinbei'ore described.

The contact of the switch |65 is in the circuit that energizes the relays |46 and |54 which control the operation of the vibratory feeder 66. The zero switch ||2, which is normally open, is closed by the small metallic arm ||4 and the ad- Justable finger ||5 only when all the material in the hopper 26 has been discharged and the load supporting means of the scale are in their zero DOsitlon. Closure of the contact ot the switch I2 permits current toilow through leads ||6, |2| and |26, contact |6I, leads |62, |66, |64, the contact of the switch lll, lead |35. C011 QI latch relay |66 and leads |61. |66, |66 and |20 to the other side oi the line. The energization of the latch relay opens a normally closed contact |16 and thus deenergizes the gate operaing solenoid 65 and the gate now drops by gravity into its closed position.

,The de-energisation of the solenoid 65 permits its lay |30, leads |32, |33, contact of switch |05, lcad |4|, contact |42, leads |43, |50, contact |15, lead |59, the coil of relay |52 and then through leads and |20 to the other side of the line. 'I'his maintains the energization of the coil of relay |52 causing contact |5| to remain open and thus prevent the operation of the feeding device.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the circuit just described interlocks the several operations in such a manner that the device cannot operate unless no material remains in the hopper, thus assuring accurate loads.

The embodiments of the invention herein shown and described are to be regarded as illustrative only, and it is to be understood that; the invention is susceptible to variation, modification and change within the spirit and scope of the subjoined claims.

Having described the invention, I claim:

l. In a device of the class described, in combination, weighing mechanism comprising load receiving means including a hopper, disengageable load counterpoising means for back-weighting said weighing mechanism, a load counterbalancing pendulum operatively connected to said load receiving means for automatically counterbalancing an increment of the load, an indicator connected to and actuated by said pendulum, a chart for said indicator, a series of weight indicia including azero indicium marked on said chart and adapted to indicate the weight of the increment of load counterbalanced by said load counterbalancing pendulum, an indicium marked on said chart in spaced relation to said series cf indicia, a light sensitive element, means for masking said light sensitive element having an opening, such opening being positioned in predetermined relation to said indicium on said chart in spaced relation to said series of indicia on said chart, a lamp for illuminating said light sensitive element, means on said indicator for intercepting light emanating from said lamp, an electrically operated feeding means fordelivering material to said hopper, a gate on said hopper adapted to close by the action of gravity, electrical means for opening said gate, an electrical circuit for energizing said light sensitive element as well as said electrically operated feeding means and said electrical means for opening said gate on said hopper, means comprising normally open switches in said electrical circuit for preventing energization of said electrically operated feeding means, and means associated with said hopper and said hopper gate for closing said normally open switches when said counterpoising means is disengaged and said means on said indicator for intercepting light from said lamp is in a nonintercepting position and said indicator is in registration with said zero indicium on said chart.

A2. In a device of the class described, in combination, weighing mechanism including a lever system, a material receiving hopper mounted thereon, automatic load counterbalancing mechanism operatively connected thereto, an indicator actuated by said load counterbalancing mechanism, a chart cooperating with said indicator and having marked thereon a series of weight indicia including a zero indicium, an additional indicium marked on said chart and spaced from said series, said lever system comprising a. load lever support.. ing said hopper and, a counterpoise lever adapted to receive a counterpoise for back-weighting said scale for cooperation with said lever system, electrically actuated material feeding means adapted engaged connection between said counterpoise lever and said lever system, means for causing said normally disengagedy connection to connect said counterpoise lever and said lever system when a predetermined amount of material has been delivered into said hopper, an electrical circuit connecting said weighing mechanism and said material feeding means, means cooperating with said indicator for controlling the operation of said material feeding means through said circuit and for stopping the delivery of material to said hopper when said indicator is in registration with said indicium spaced from said series on said chart, a gate on said hopper, a solenoid coil, an armature operated by said solenoid for opening said gate, a switch in said electrical circuit having normally open contacts associated with said armature, said armature being adapted to close such normally open contacts when said solenoid is de-energized, a switch in said circuit having normally open contacts, and means associated with said hopper for closing contacts of the last named switch when said hopper is empty and said normally disengaged connection between said counterpoise lever and said lever system is in its normal condition.

3. In a device of the class described, in combination, a weighing scale for determining loads of equal predetermined Weight'in automatically recurring cycles of operations, said weighing scale comprising a lever system, a load receiving hopper mounted upon said lever system, a load counter.

balancing pendulum operatively connected to said lever system, indicating means actuated by said load counterbalancing pendulum, a material feeding meansfor delivering material to said load receiving hopper, an independently mounted counterpoise lever, a receiver supported by said lever for the reception of a counterpoise for backweighting said weighing scale, a link suspended from said counterpoise lever, said link being adapted to engage said lever system when a predetermined quantity of material has been delivered to said hopper, a discharge gate on said hopper, electrical means for actuating said discharge gate, a light source, a photoelectric element controlled by said indicating means andu controlling the operation of said material feeding means, an electrical circuit connecting said light source, said photoelectric element, said material feeding means and said discharge gate actuating means for opening said gate to discharge such may terial when said photoelectric element senses the to deliver material to said hopper, a normally discondition of balance of said weighing scale, an adjustable stop for causing said link suspended from said counterpoise lever to become disengaged from said lever system when a portion of such material'in said hopper has been discharged and means in said electrical circuit for preventing the reoccurrence of a cycle of operations until all material in said hopper has been discharged, said means in said circuit for preventing reoceurrence of a cycle of operations comprising one or more switches having normally open contacts and means associated with said hopper for closing such open contacts when all material in said ,hopper has been discharged.

4. In a device of the class described, in combination, a weighing scale for determining loads of equal predetermined Weight in automatically recurring cycles of operations, said weighing scale comprising a lever system, a load receiving hopper mounted upon said lever system, a load counterbalancing pendulum operatively connected to said lever system, indicating means actuated by said load counterbalancing pendulum, a material feeding means for delivering material to said load receiving hopper. an independently mounted eounterpoise lever. a receiver supported by said lever for the reception of a counterpoise for backweighting said Weishing scale, a link engaging said counterpoiselever and being adapted to enme said lever system when a predetermined quantity of material has been delivered to said hopper. a discharge gate on said hopper. electrical meansforactuatingsaid disshargesatealight source, a photoelectrlc -element controlled by said indicating means and controlling the operation4 of said material feeding means. an electrical circuit connecting said light source. said photoelectricelemtsaidmaterialfdingmeansandsaid discharge gate actuating means for opening said gate to discharge such material when said photoelectric element semer the condition of balance ofsaidweighingscalaanadiustablestoppositloned in the path of movement of said counterpoise lever and adapted to cause disengagement of said link from said lever system when a portion ofsuchmaterialinsaidhopperhasbeendischargedandmeansinsaidelectricalcircuitfor preventing the reoccurrence of a cycle oi' operationsuntilallmaterialinsaidhopperhasbeen discharged.

5. In a deviceof the class described, in combination, s base. a load supporting lever and a counterpoise supporting lever mounted Upon said base, a disengageable connection operatively connectlng said levers, a load counterbalancing pendulum, means for connecting said load counterbalancing pendulum to said load supporting lever. an indicator secured to and actuated by said load counterbalancing pendulum, a chart cooperating with said indicator, indicia on said chart includ ing a zero indicium and an indicium spaced from saidseroindicilnnmarkedon saidchart,casings for enclosing said levers, said load counterbalancing pendulum and said indicating means, a material receiving hopper moimted upon said load supporting lever exteriorly of said casings, an electrically actuated material feeding means for deliveringmaterialtosaidhoppenagate onsaid hopper adapted to he closed by the action of gravity, toggle means for locking said gate, electrical 'meansforunlockingsaidtogglemeansand opening said gate, an electric circuit for energizing said electrically actuated material feeding means, means cooperating with said indicator for de-energising said circuit when said indicator registers with said indicium spaced from aero indicium on saidchartandconditioningsaidelectricalmeans for opening said gate. an adjustable stopin the path of movement of said counterpoise supporting lever for causing said disengageable connection between said load supporting lever and said coimterpoise supporting lever to disengase upon discharge of some of the material in said hopper, anormallyopenswitchinsaidcircuitand means movable with said hopper for closing said switch whenallmaterialinsaidhopperhasbeen discharged and said indicator regista-:with said zero indicium on said chart. v

6.Inadeviceoftheclassdescribed,incom bination, a weighing scale comprising a rockably mounted load supporting lever. automatic load counterbalancing mechanism operatively connected thereto and automatic load indicating means actuated thereby, manipulative load counterbalancing mechanism for back weighting said weighing scale including an independently mounted rockable lever, a disengageable connection between saidindependently mounted lever and said load supporting lever, an adjustable stop positioned in the path of rocking movement of said independentlv mounted lever for arresting the movement of said lever and causing disengagement of said disengageable connection, said automatic load indicating means comprising an indicator, a chart, a series of indicia including a zero indicium. and an indicium spaced from said series marked on said chart. a material receiving hopper mounted on said load supporting lever, a

material feeding means for delivering material to" said hopper, an electrical circuit and electrical means within said circuit for actuating said feeding means. a switch cooperating with said indicator and said chart for stopping the actuation of said material feeding means and causing discharge of such material in said hopper when said indicator registers with the indicium spaced from said series of indicia on said chart, and said electrical circuit including a switch for preventing reactuation of said feeding means unless said lever system returns to no-load position indicating that said hopper is empty.

7. In a device of the class described, in combination, a weighing scale comprising a rockably mounted load supporting lever, automatic load counterbalancing mechanism operatively connected thereto and automatic load indicating means actuated thereby, manipulative load counterbalancing mechanism for back weighting said weighing scale including an independently mounted rockable lever, a disengageable connection between said independently mounted lever and said load supporting lever and an adjustable stop positioned in the path of rocking movement of said independently mounted lever for arresting the movement of said lever and causing disengagement of said disengageable connection, said automatic load indicating means comprising an indicator secured to said automatic load counterbalancing mechanism, a fixed chart. a series of indicia including a sere indicium and a indicium spaced from said series marked on said chart, a material receiving hopper mounted on said load supporting lever. a material feeding means for delivering material into said hopper. an electrical circuit and electrical means within said circuit for actuating said feeding means, a

light source, a photoelectric cell adapted to be in-` fiuenced by the relative position of said indicator and said chart for controlling the action of said material feeding means and causing discharge of such material insaid hopper when said indicator registers with the indicium spaced from said series of indicia on said chart, and -said electrical circuit including a switch for preventing reactuation of said feeding means unless said lever system returns to aero-load position with said disengageable connection between said load supportlng lever and said independently mounted lever in a condition of disengagement.

MAREA. WECKERLY. 

